Question
A four-year-old child experienced frequent night crying after undergoing treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease, with their previously peaceful sleep disrupted. Why might a child experience night crying after recovering from hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Answer
After treatment for hand, foot, and mouth disease, a child may be startled by medication or experience gastrointestinal discomfort due to side effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea, which can affect sleep quality. Additionally, the child may not have fully recovered and should therefore be encouraged to strengthen nutrition intake and ensure adequate rest during the later stages of recovery. Appropriate comfort should be provided to the child. If diarrhea occurs, the diet should be adjusted to allow the child to gradually adapt; usually, this will improve over time.